Palestine House and Students Against Israeli Apartheid at York University salute the Green Party of Canada’s upcoming vote in support of freedom, justice and equality in Israel/Palestine

(TORONTO, November 28, 2016)—The undersigned Canadian associations express their unwavering support for the resolution by the Green Party of Canada in support of Palestinian rights and calling for the imposition of government sanctions, consumer boycotts, institutional divestment, economic sanctions and arms embargoes to pressure the state of Israel to comply with its obligations under international law.

We also wish to congratulate the Green Party’s shadow cabinet and three of its former members for reaching consensus on this slightly modified position (from the one passed in August) that will be voted on at the party’s December convention. Indeed, the modified resolution calls on Israel to end its illegal military occupation, end the siege on Gaza, respect the right of return for Palestinian refugees and accord equal rights to Palestinian citizens of Israel.

Furthermore, it calls on the Canadian government to use economic pressure, including divestment from any companies which are directly benefiting from activity within Israel’s illegal settlements or its occupation, and the renegotiation of the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement.

Israel continues to thrive under a culture of impunity which allows it for the last 48 years to sustain its illegal occupation of Palestinian and Syrian lands and to continue with its suppression and stark violation of the basic human rights of the Palestinian population in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.

We encourage all Green Party members to support this courageous position, which is a major vote of confidence for all those working for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

We, the undersigned, and our thousands of members, are made proud Canadians by the Green Party's principled stance with the occupied people of Palestine.

Students Against Israeli Apartheid at York University

Students Against Israeli Apartheid at York University (SAIA York) is part of the global campaign for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) against the state of Israel until it complies with its obligations under international law.